Information on 1851 Colt Navy? PIC HEAVY

[StrobeNGH]

Thought I'd make my first post a doozie:
A friend of mine is selling off some of his collection. His condo burnt down, and he unfortunately didn't have insurance, so I'm helping him with the sale.

Two of his guns caught my eye.
They appear to be 1851 colt Navies. I say appear, because I think they're original but am not sure.
One has a serial number of 42XXX, and the second, a snub nose, has a serial number of 70XXX.

The 42XXX gun seems to still work just fine. Cylinder rotates with the hammer, trigger works, etc . . . I haven't tried to pull the gun apart, and probably won't unless I need to.
There is very little play in the cylinder, and the wood on the handle is a little lose, but other than that the gun is remarkable for its age!

The 70XXX gun has seen better days, and more completeness. IT has the trigger and hammer, and we have no idea where the rest of it went. Ironically, however, the cylinder on this gun is in pretty good condition (the engraving of the naval battle scene is still visible).

All of the numbers that I can find on the guns match. Now, whether it is authentic is the question . . .

Any info and suggestions (best place to sell, fair price, etc . . .) would be appreciated.












And the snubbie:

 

[Ratdog68]

Sweet ol' girls, bofe'm.

 

[Slamfire]

I have seen a lot of "aged" Italian replicas. Italian Navies have been in the US since the 50's, and forgers have been faking them for decades.

Can't prove one way or another with pictures, if these are Colt or Italian.

 

[Skinny 1950]

Looks like someone was pounding nails with the Navy's cylinder,original patina (rust) removed by wire brush? Check with Colt they may know date of manufacture from ser#,I think they are real but in rough shape. I wouldn't be surprised if you got $1200-$1500 from someone.

 

[mec]

If it's real, according to the table in RL Wilson's Colt, An American Legend, it was made in 1855

 

[XxWINxX94]

These look very real, but its very easy to buy a cheap copy, trash it, bury it under the ground, and sell it as authentic.

I would do some more research and compare known originals to what you've got here. From what I've seen, they look authentic, and show the correct wear for being that old.

 

[mec]

that is very true. it is also true that a dug up, corroded colt percussion revolver is not worth a great deal of money. It would be a waste of time to create one. Condition is everything.

 

[Hellgate]

Strobe,
You take great pictures.
The front sight on the more intact gun looks like it is from an 1860 Army. Is it dovetailed into the barrel? The cylinder on that gun may be from another gun as it is in way worse shape than the rest of the gun. Take a screw out and see if the pitch is metric. If so, it's Italian.

 

[arcticap]

Any info and suggestions (best place to sell, fair price, etc . . .) would be appreciated.

Here's a good place to not only sell antique guns but to also browse around to see what the values are of guns that may be in similar condition. The most experienced collectors & buyers probably have a better idea of exactly what they are and what they're worth. You have very nice pictures and the market place can help you to decide what their fair market value is.

http://www.antiqueguns.com/

Here's another website to view some nice antique Colt percussion revolvers that are advertised for sale and to get an idea of their fair market prices.

http://www.antiqueguns.com/new_auction/summary/

A Colt parts dealer:

http://www.coltparts.com/aguns1.html

 

[madcratebuilder]

The markings and fonts all look legit, the serial number is good. The over all condition is poor so they have limited value. The aged condition that both these show is very difficult to fake.

 

[StrobeNGH]

Thank you all for the replies and information!

 

[arcticap]

This was the other website that I meant to list that was omitted above:

Here's another website to view some nice antique Colt percussion revolvers that are advertised for sale and to get an idea of their fair market prices.

http://www.antiquegunlist.com/?catid=6&set_add_ad_cat=

http://www.antiquegunlist.com/